We have a chance here, keep it up!

"We are trying to figure out how to present the backlash to our Assemblymember"

Author

Jews for Mask Rights
March 31, 2025

(bottom line up front: Our calls are working and our reps are hearing us! But- the budget fight isn't over yet and we have to keep the pressure on.  Call again, and share with your friends and networks!)

Dear Letter Signer,

Last week you were part of something amazing. The volume of calls the Assembly, Senate, even the NY Board of Tourism(!) got was incredible. From us and from partners around the state. We truly started to shift the conversation on this sneaky push by the Governor.

Now, here's the tough part: New York State's Budget process- the current terrain we are fighting on- is not exactly famous for being straightforward or timely. While we don't have a clear answer from the legislature, the expectation is that we won't have a final budget today, and possibly won’t until the end of the week or later.

What does this mean for us? It means we have to keep up the pressure, and even try to expand the vocal opposition to this dangerous legislation. We have to show our friends and allies that we have their backs as they push back against the Governor’s last-minute budget addition, and we have to give our adversaries something to think about too (A staffer of one Assembly sponsor said "We’re trying to figure out how to present the backlash" to their member- we want to hear more of this).

What does this look like for this week? 

  1. You will probably hear from us a few times this week. We will keep you posted as best we can.

  2. Keep calling your members and leadership! The other side is well resourced and will continue to push back- so we all need to keep going.

  3. Share this campaign with friends/family in NY who will take action- and this can be anyone, they don’t have identify as Jewish! Only the letter is explicitly for Jewish New Yorkers, but anyone can use our call tool!  We're especially looking to expand our reach north and west of Westchester. 

  4. Share this with networks: your shul social action team, your local good government group, your group chats; anywhere you think you can reach more people to make calls.

  5. Share the letter too! Note- while not quite as impactful as making the calls, we are still collecting signatures as a way to remind legislative leaders that Jewish New Yorkers should not be used as the reason to pass this terrible legislation.

More to come as we have it! We are grateful to be in this work with you.

Jews for Mask Rights